Contents

About the course

Our School Direct trainees work alongside St Mary's PGCE students in all of the university-led aspects. These sessions take place at their historic Strawberry Hill Campus.

The University-based aspect of the programme comprises curriculum subjects and the wider professional role of the teacher. We aim to develop the pedagogical and practical skills necessary to be an outstanding teacher, as well enhancing subject knowledge.

You will leave St Mary’s achieving a standard of good or outstanding. On the programme you may choose to study two Master's' modules leading to 60 credits at postgraduate level. These are transferable if you choose later in your career to further your postgraduate studies.

Assessments are used to ensure you understand and can apply the knowledge gained while on the course - both in schools and on campus. This is done through a range of methods:

Self-assessment

Audit of subject knowledge for maths, English and science

Presentations

Micro-teaching

Posters

Essays

Practical sessions

Assessment is ongoing and tracked against the Teachers Standards. High standards of attendance, punctuality and participation are requirements of all course elements. Assessment is ongoing while on school placements.

Interview process

Our interview process has two phases:

a session at St Mary's where trainees are asked to participate in a group presentation and discussion, and to confirm their qualifications.

a session at St Joseph's, Epsom where you will be asked to lead a group of children in an activity prepared in advance. You will also be interviewed by some senior leaders from schools in our teaching school network.

How school placements work

You will spend 120 days in school and this is organised and co-ordinated from our Paradigm office in liaison with you. These placements are supported by the school and link tutors from St Mary's.

During your placements, you will be developed as a teacher, from working with small groups of pupils alongside a class teacher towards taking responsibility for whole class teaching.

Placement One is from October to Christmas and Placement Two is from April to July. With these two placements we aim to give you a range of experiences in both keys stages and in size of school.

In addition, you have an enhancement period - a four-week placement of your choice - could be an SEND, secondary or early years setting. This is a self-assessed placement and is measured against the targets set by you and your Academic Tutor from your first school experience. This is an opportunity to work in schools or educational settings to further enhance your skills in a variety of ways and incorporate one or more of the Standards for Teachers 2012.

Fees

The course fees for 2019/2020 are as follows:

Student type

Fees to pay

UK students

£9,250

EU students

£9,250

International students

£12,240

Your tuition fee will cover the cost of all mandatory elements of your programme.

Additional costs could be incurred depending on optional modules chosen at St Mary's and other projects undertaken, for example, the Catholic Certificate of Religious Studies (CCRS).

Financial support

Requirements

Qualifications

A minimum of grade C in GCSE English, Mathematics and Science. GCSE equivalents are offered by St Mary's University.

For more information regarding international qualifications, please get in touch.

Skills tests in English and Maths will need to be completed successfully prior to starting the course. A deadline for passing the Professional Skills Test will be sent with your offer.

Personal qualities

We hope to recruit trainees who are enthusiastic, motivated and inspiring to our children.

Trainees who believe that we continue to learn as we grow and who are open to developing their teaching skill-set are the sort of trainee we are looking for. Excellent communication skills, organisation and the ability to reflect honestly on your own practice are essential.

Prior experience with children or in a school setting is always valuable, as are the most important two characteristics: adaptability and a sense of humour!

Other requirements

School observation

We would like all applicants to have made a fully informed decision about considering joining the teaching profession. As part of that decision making process, spending some time in school(s) observing what teachers do and beginning to give some consideration to how they manage learning can be really insightful and informative.

DBS check

Successful completion of a physical and mental fitness to teach and a Satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check are also required.

About the training provider

Paradigm teaching School, led by St Joseph's Catholic Primary School in Epsom, is proud to be part of nurturing the next generation of teachers into the profession. St Joseph's was judged to be 'Outstanding' in November 2017 and has an excellent track record of recruiting and retaining staff right from their earliest days as trainees.

We believe that we offer the best of both worlds - personalised and supportive school experiences in our close network of schools alongside the academic rigour and expertise of an outstanding PGCE (QTS) programme delivered by experts in their fields at both St Mary's and Roehampton. The option of Masters level credits is also available to you if you choose.

Our placements are hosted in our network of Catholic primary schools across Banstead, Leatherhead, Caterham, Ewell, Dorking, Redhill and Epsom. These placements are agreed right from the start of your year so you are as prepared for the logistics of your training year as possible as we appreciate trainees are often juggling family and other commitments. We have a strong relationship with all of these schools and work closely together in order to ensure that your training year is as manageable and comprehensive as possible. Superb mentors and wonderful children will make your PGCE year one to remember!

Training with disabilities and other needs

Just as every child is unique, so are our trainees! If you believe you have a need which will require additional support, contact us to talk through your concerns.

Support and advice

Get support and advice about teaching

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